Dementia has touched me, my family and friends in so many ways... we (Kirk and I) want to do our bit to end this horrible disease by fundraising to find a cure for all.

Every 3 minutes dementia steals a happily ever after. It is not just the person with dementia who suffers but the family and friends who often 'lose' them before their time! Research is our only chance of changing the ending for all people touched by this horrible and terrifying disease.

So what is the crazy challenge we are embarking on..?

We are Climbing for a Cure!!! - The aim is to climb the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro, 5,895 m up!

We not only need to overcome the 8 days of back to back walking, sleeping in a tent, not washing (or washing my hair! or Kirk getting a shave...) but also cope with reduced oxygen and potential altitude sickness.

To acclimatise to the altitude each day, you climb using a saw tooth pattern, you walk high and then descend a little and sleep low before walking back up again the next day!!

We have chosen a slightly quieter route around the North of the mountain (purple route on the map, TM Lemosho) and the plan looks like this...

Day 1 - Start Point (2424m) to Forest Camp (2821m) the distance is 5.4km, over 400m elevation

Day 2 - Forest Camp (2821m) to Shira 1 Camp (3508m) with additional acclimatisation excursion to Shira Peak. Total days distance 15.3km over 1050m elevation

Day 3 - Shira 1 Camp (3508m) to Moir Hut (4166m) with additional acclimatisation and sunset view to Lent group. Total walking 11.3km over 801m elevation

Day 4 - they call this the gradual day! Moir Hut (4166m) to Pofu Camp (3998m) 10.3km with no elevation!

Day 5 - Pofu Camp (3998m) to 3rd Caves Camp (3971m). Distance = 6.7km no true elevation gain but there is an option for extra acclimatization they don't tell us what this entails - it's a mystery!

Day 6 - 3rd Caves Camp (3971m) to School Hut (4722m) - a shorter distance than the previous 2 days only 6.7km, but a very respectable 751m of height gain.

Day 7 - Summit night - wake up at midnight to trek overnight to the summit for sunrise! For anyone who knows me being awake during the night hours is a challenge in itself never mind walking too.

The route: School Hut (4722m) via Hans Meyer Cave (5243m) and Gilman’s Point (5708m), to Uhuru Peak (5895m) - the TOP! Distance is only 5.4km but ascending 1173m. Lets get this into perspective, this is higher than Snowdon and we have already been walking steadily upwards with reduced oxygen for 6 days ...

We haven't finished even after summiting.

We must now walk back down to Mweka Camp (3090m) 10.8km with a 2805m descent to sleep. This is where Kirk's knees will start to complain! He's great at going up, going back down not so much, for me it's the other way round ...

Day 8 - Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1641m) A final 8.5km walk to close the adventure

Alzheimer's Research UK is a leading dementia research charity. They exist for a cure and to end the suffering for all.

Any donation you make will not only keep Kirk and I motivated to walk that mountain - when I am sure at times I really will not want to, but most importantly help scientists and researchers find new ways to diagnose dementia, develop new treatments and find a cure for dementia.

To be absolutely clear, every penny that is raised through our fundraising efforts goes directly to the charity. This is not a subsidised expedition, we have already secured our places which have been funded by us directly.

Watch and share Alzheimer's Research UK's new film: https://bit.ly/ARUKForACure

SUPPORT US TO CLIMB FOR A CURE !!

Thank you in advance from the bottom of our hearts for anything you can give. Every penny counts!